Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Inexpensive Group Activities

So you've meeting for coffee and are thinking of throwing in something else to mix it up?  Here are a few ideas of things to do at regular meetings that are simple and inexpensive.

  • Have a "Show and Tell": Bring in your book of shadows, grimoires, favorite divination items, favorite magical tool, ect..
  • Have a divination exchange/practice: Everyone brings in their favorite divination tool (or one that they are working to learn) and buddies up to read for each other.  Set a time limit, then switch partners.  This not only gives everyone a little practice with their tools, it also gives everyone a chance to get a few minutes of one-on-one time with other members to get to know them better.
  • Have an herb (or deity) research day.  Pick a subject and assign (or draw from a hat) different subjects for each person to research and share with the group at the next meeting.  For example, if your herb for the month is basil, one person finds as many magical uses as they can for it, another brings an edible recipe, another brings a magical recipe, someone finds any deities connected with the herb, someone is in charge of bringing a drawing or photo (and so on).  Each person brings enough copies of their information for everyone in the group, shares their info and passes out their pages.  
  • If a member has any special education or knowledge, such as training in Reiki or having taken herbalism classes, get them to share the info with the group.  It can be as simple as just explaining what it is and tips for learning more or taking the group out to show them how to identify useful plants in your neighborhood and passing out informational sheets.
  • Start a book club.  Not every member might be interesting in taking the time to read the book, so count hands and decide if you want this to take place during regular meetings.  If only part of the group is interested, consider having the book discussion happen right before or right after the regular meeting.   Decide on a book, giving members ample time to get their hands on it.  Decide how long to give for getting through the whole book, or do it chapter by chapter to break up the discussion and cut it into smaller, doable parts.
  • Start working on a charitable cause.  Decide together what charity you'd like to support.  Consider making it local, to help enforce positive views of Pagans in the local community.  Collect food for the local food bank; adopt a park or roadway to keep clean; collect for the local pet shelter; ask the local school system or library what supplies they are in short supply of and find a way to help them get them; volunteer at a home for the elderly to put in blooming plants or bird feeders on their property.  Alternately, do something "national" such as raising money for a national charity or adopting a Pagan soldier. 
  • Have a park foraging day.  Find a nice-sized park and see what sort of natural items that you can find to use as magical tools.  Look for interesting rocks, acorns, fallen leaves or twigs.  Before you begin, make sure that there is no policy that prevents you from taking any items out of the park.  Don't dig, pull or cut anything up on public (or private for that matter!) property unless you have permission.  And always be aware that being in possession of certain migratory bird feather is illegal.  If you don't know which are or aren't, best not to pick them up.
Please share your own ideas in comments!

1 comment:

Living a Balanced life in texas said...

NE Houston Broom & Brew
This is some of the things we do & some still in planning.
We have our monthly public meet n greet. We just started a public coffee night during the week for a more localized gathering(we have smaller areas setting up for this).
We have public (free & donation)workshops.We are currently doing a Create Your Own Tools series and we do that every other month. We also do combined meet n greets with other groups every few months. We have hosted a Pagan Swap n Trade (back in Jan.) and will be hosting another one in July.
We also have a smaller goup who meets every other week for discussion,bookshare, crafts & workings. We are about to start working through a book together.
I suggest finding something unique that your group would like and works for you & your area.